Town increasingly appear to be heading the race to sign former Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. The 27-year-old frontman is a free agent with his Molineux contract having come to an end over the summer.

Ebanks-Blake, who Mick McCarthy took to Wolves from Plymouth for £1.5 million in January 2008, is believed to have been at Town today, reportedly having held talks with Burnley and Leicester in recent weeks, while Leeds have also been linked.

The Cambridge-born former England U21 international has been sidelined since April with a broken leg and ankle ligament damage and has been back with Wolves during the opening months of the season working on his fitness.

But with new manager Kenny Jackett unwilling to offer him a new contract, he is understood to be ready to move on to another club as he continues his rehabilitation.

Speaking last week, McCarthy confirmed that he would be interested in adding the frontman to his squad once he is fit, but expected strong competition.

“I think he’s progressing OK and is probably getting to the stage where he’s looking for a club,” he said.

“I spoke to him when I was up at Jody Craddock’s testimonial dinner at Molineux about four weeks ago and I think in January he’ll certainly be looking for a club, and there’ll be clubs looking for him, and we’ll be one of them.”

Photo: Action Images

whitey added 00:19 - Dec 18 I'd certainly have him in the squad but I don't think he's going to walk straight in to the team and be the goalscorer we need. He's been out injured for ages and if Kenny Jackett doesn't think he's good enough for league 1 then how's he going to fair in the championship? We've already got Didzy, Murphy, Nouble, Taylor... he will just push Marriott further down the pecking order. Still he's worth a punt I guess and in MM we trust! Just hope we don't sign him up on big wages because there are other areas of the squad I'd rather see us strengthen in.

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Robbie12345 added 00:40 - Dec 18 Whitey- not if we play 3 up front, with McGoldrick in midfield, then we have nobody on the bench, exspecially if Taylor plays right mid. Marriott will get his chance to shine. Ebanks-blake has only not been offered terms with Wolves due to the player not wanting to play in league 1, and wages would be too much for Wolves. Would be a excellent addition. Looking forward to saturday! COYB!

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NoCanariesAllowed added 01:00 - Dec 18 Big challenge to get this guy back to his best from where he's been in recent times. But his best is worth having - especially if you can have it for free.
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Sindre94 added 01:28 - Dec 18 I don't think I've seen McGoldrick score a tap-in or from a cross for Ipswich yet, I might be wrong. He is not a poacher but he's an excellent creative player who can dribble and shoot from anywhere, so he must stay in the team. Murphy on the other seems to only score from corners and free kicks, so in my opinion Ebanks-Blake is a perfect player for us, a typical poacher. My problem with this transfer is where it leaves Taylor and Marriott, two players I highly rate. I don't think Mick fancies Taylor and it wouldnt surprise me if this is his last season for ITFC, hope I'm wrong.

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Sebbo added 02:34 - Dec 18 On his day a couple of years ago he would destroy teams. Mick got the best out of him before so wouldn't bet against him. Although has to be considered a risk because of recent injury, he would be a cracking signing if wages were not ridiculous. Seems like an eternity since watching Bent/Kuqi do a job at PR..
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TractorBeezer added 03:06 - Dec 18 Will be very interesting to see how this plays out depending on his fitness, competition from other clubs, how he could fit into our squad and wage demands etc. We could have the inside track here since MM and SEB know each other and there is presumably mutual credibility. Now that the defence is essentially sorted this is exciting stuff which could improve our firepower.

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Sindre94 added 03:59 - Dec 18 Do not forget he scored 14 goals for a relegated side last season.
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Keaneish added 06:34 - Dec 18 Hunt, McGoldrick, Nouble, Murphy, Taylor, Marriot and Ebanks-Blake.... All different types of players with goals in them. Hyam, Skuse, Tunnicliffe and Tabb... All tireless workers Chambers, Smith and Berra... All solid defenders and great at attacking set pieces... We haven't had it this good for a long, long time.
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Blue_Heath added 06:47 - Dec 18 Would love him here but the other clubs involved are likely to offer better terms. In our favour his Cambridge roots, possible first team place and he knows Mick could swing it?
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Pip50 added 07:58 - Dec 18 Please apply here (Ipswich Town FC) a home for ex out of contract old crocks. Must have played for a well known club recently relegated to the third tier of English football. In the meantime if anyone wants to borrow our up and coming youth please feel free to help yourself.
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FrimleyBlue added 08:07 - Dec 18 Pip50 It's great management. All our youngsters need experience. You can't just throw them in when not ready.
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Stato added 08:10 - Dec 18 Good point keanish but where is your list of creative players who will provide the assists so many of us think our team is missing.
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Cheltenham_Blue added 08:25 - Dec 18 EBB could be the man to move us on and people are worried about Marriott who is nowhere near ready to play for us yet and probably won't be for 2 years?
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BYRNE_16 added 08:38 - Dec 18 Yes please!
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brian_a_mul added 08:49 - Dec 18 We need a striker and EEB is a proven 15+ season goalscorer at this level. Again EEB would give us a different option up front. Plus, Nouble is still raw and would learn alot from EEB. Also he is Premier League quality and along with Dids we would have two strikers capable at that level. Mariott is not ready and Taylor is not an out and out striker. tbh I think Taylors days are numbered. I think he is a good player but to me he seems injury prone and a bit disruptive. I dont see him fitting in to MM long term plans. With MM, Hunt & Bera here I think EEB will jump at the chance to join us. Having EEB would also potentially give us one of the best strike forces in the Championship with very good tactical flexibility up front. 4-3-1-2 (Murphs & EEB with Dids in behind) would frighten the beejazus out of any defense. A no brainer in my book

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oldelsworthyfan added 09:49 - Dec 18 I say 'yes' to EEB. Good point BossMan - I would like to see a creative player signed as well, particularly as MM does not think Wordy is worth a run. Don't write off Taylor too soon. Fully fit (and made a better player by our excellent coaching team) he could have a successful second half of the season. He has the ability.
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muccletonjoe added 10:10 - Dec 18 Yes marriott is ready to play at championship level and if you think , ' cheltenham blue' that he is going to hang around for another 2 years without a sniff at our first team you are unrealistic to say the least , he will be nearly 22 and I certainly wouldn't blame if he looked elsewhere to further his career. E banks blake is a risk , no doubt about that , if he wants to come here then we have the option.

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Cheltenham_Blue added 10:19 - Dec 18 "marriott is ready to play at championship level" And what games have you based this assessment on? I'd rather see him have a stint in L1 on loan with a decent club before making that judgement. He won't be 'hanging about' for 2 years either, when and if he's good enough he'll play. I assume you'd rather rush him in now and burn him out too soon? While SEB goes to a promotion rival?

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1RWR added 10:43 - Dec 18 Pip50, sadly you know less about football management than I do & your views are laughable, were they meant to be?
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Jimmy86 added 11:04 - Dec 18 It may be a bit of a risk signing SEB but I for one would be fairly impressed if he signed for us, bearing in mind the other teams mentioned in connection with him. If he can get fully fit and recapture his previous form we have a decent striker on our hands at this level
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hampstead_blue added 11:05 - Dec 18 I'd welcome SEB any day. He's a proven goal scorer.... However, you only need to look at Soldano at Spurs to realise a goal scorer needs the right service to thrive. I'd assume MM has that answer so we may see yet another formation and style in the offing. Very exciting BUT I do wonder how many more ex-Wolves players will head down the A14.
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spanishblue added 11:12 - Dec 18 Many players break legs ligaments and come back to the same level.we need that type of player they cost money we could do with . It just goes on I,m 100% sure MM &TC know exactly what we need until we get 25,000 plus we won't be getting them unless you've got a few million
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ian_marshall added 11:29 - Dec 18 Watford have a new boss for sat!
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bohslegend added 11:32 - Dec 18 Whats the story with the "EEB" references :-) surely it's SEB, no?? Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Yes, would love him to join. And please Santa Mick, may I have a quality Right Full and a Creative Midfielder? I've been a very good tractorboy this year, promise.
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fourpee added 11:33 - Dec 18 Great signing if this happens !! I Just hope he's not gonna be another Chopra...
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